Bowling ball with indicia and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A bowling ball with an indicia is provided. A method for manufacturing such a bowling ball is also provided. The indicia may be preformed and attached to the core of the bowling ball before the outer layer of the bowling ball is created.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 12/402,727,filed Mar. 12, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/102,949 entitled “Bowling Ball with Indicia andMethod Therefor,” filed Oct. 6, 2008, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference, and which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/060,910, entitled “Bowling. Ball withEngraving and Method Therefor,” filed Jun. 12, 2008, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bowling balls and, in particular,indicia on the surface of bowling balls and methods for manufacturing abowling ball with such indicia.

Bowling balls have been in existence for many years. While, generallyspeaking, all that is necessary for a bowling ball is to have an outerlayer, and, usually a core and eventually thumb and finger holes, manymanufacturers and sellers of bowling balls wish to have one or morevisual indicia on the outer surface of the outer cover or “veneer” ofthe bowling ball. The visual indicia can include a variety of things,but very commonly includes the name and/or logo of the brand or model ofbowling ball.

Current or previous methods of providing indicia on bowling ballsinclude forming the complete ball, then engraving or etching a portionof the surface of the ball and filling in the engraved or etched portionwith a different colored substance than the surface of the ball. Thefilled indicia is a series of narrow lines. The filler is most often adifferent substance than the outer layer of the ball, potentiallycausing weight distribution problems, cracking or breaking away of thefiller, non-flush surfaces, and/or changes in the contact friction withthe lane surface while the ball is rolling. Also, if a mistake is madein etching, the entire ball may be wasted. The process of filling in anetched or engraved area may also trap air between the filler andengraved portion, potentially causing problems when the ball is used.

Another method of providing indicia on the surface of the ball is toprovide a “window” of clear or colored transparent material with a flatscreen print beneath the window substance. A person could thus seethrough the transparent portion, which extends to the surface of theball, to the flat, screen printed indicia beneath. However, the windowis typically not the same substance as that used in the outer layer ofthe ball. Such a window ball typically has weight distribution issuesdue to the creation of a flat surface on a portion of the core to whichthe screen print is attached. Also, such a method provides a bowlingball that is too brittle and unstable to meet typical durabilityrequirements and is usually used for visual appearance and display only.Also, if additional indicia were desired, the ball would normallyinclude the engraving discussed above, adding even more steps andexpense to the manufacture of the ball.

Another method uses a simple locator pin that is visible on the outersurface of the ball. Such a pin may or may not be adjacent to or touchthe core, but it is small and simply-shaped, and designed only to conveythe position of the core in the ball as a point of reference fordrilling.

These methods require additional steps to the steps required tomanufacture the ball, which may include etching and filling in theetching or cavity, drilling, cutting off a portion of the core,attaching multiple pieces to the core or outer layer of the ball, andthen re-sanding or re-grinding the bowling ball. These methods alsocreate playability and durability issues for the bowling ball.

Accordingly, a method that does not require all of these steps would bepreferable so that a cost-effective bowling ball could be easily madehaving indicia on its surface, while maintaining appropriate weightdistribution of the ball. Additionally, the method would create abowling ball having indicia with broad lines and solid colored areas, ifdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing abowling ball. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold, themold having an outer shell with an inner wall, placing an indicia memberwithin the mold against the inner wall of the outer shell, and moldingmaterial about the indicia member to form a bowling ball.

Another aspect of the present invention is a bowling ball comprising acore, a preformed indicia having at least one post and an outer member,and an outer layer adjacent the core and the preformed indicia. Thepreformed indicia is attached to the core by at least one post, andthere is a gap between the core and the outer member of the preformedindicia.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturinga bowling ball comprising the steps of providing a manufacturing machinehaving a cavity with an inner wall, providing a ball core, forming asurface graphic, placing the ball core and surface graphic into thecavity, forming a cover stock about the core and surface graphic, andremoving cover stock material to reveal the surface graphic as anindicia at the outer surface of the bowling ball.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a method ofmanufacturing a bowling ball comprising the steps of forming a graphicof a thermoplastic or thermoset plastic, inserting the graphic into amold cavity, forming cover stock about the graphic while the graphic isin the mold cavity, and removing material from the cover stock to revealthe graphic.

Yet still another aspect of the present invention is another method ofmanufacturing a bowling ball. This method comprises the steps ofproviding a bowling ball core, holding a preformed indicia in suspensionfrom the core, and molding a cover about the core and preformed indicia.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentinvention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art by reference to the following specification, claims and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross section elevational view of a bowling ball;

FIG. 2 is bottom plan view of an indicia member for use with the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the indicia member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of the indicia member of FIG.2, also denoted in FIG. 3 as portion IV;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a portion of a bowling ball coreand the indicia member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of a bowling ball with anindicia member;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an indicia member for use with thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a backing member of the indicia memberof FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a backingmember of the indicia member of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the indicia member of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a portion of an indicia member;

FIG. 11 is a cross section side elevational view of the portion of anindicia member shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a portion of a bowling ball coreand the indicia member of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a bowling ball of the present invention, showing the indiciamember; and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a bowling ball ofthe present invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “outer,” “inner,” “top,”and “bottom” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the embodiment asoriented in FIG. 3. However, it is to be understood that the inventionmay assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, exceptwhere expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understoodthat the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attacheddrawings and described in the following specification are exemplaryembodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting.

FIG. 1 shows a standard bowling ball 10. Bowling ball 10 includes a core12 and an outer layer 14. Once completely finished and ready for use,the manufacturer or the user may also drill one or more thumb and fingerholes (not shown) into the outer layer 14 of the bowling ball 10.

The preferred bowling ball of the present invention also includes anindicia member. The indicia member is preferably preformed and is showngenerally in FIGS. 2-4. The indicia member of the first embodiment isdenoted by the reference numeral 20. The indicia member 20 includes twogeneral parts, and is preferably curved to have substantially the samecurvature as the ball so that the indicia member is a constant surfacefrom the core 12, and so that its outer surface 23 has the samecurvature of the outer layer.

The first general part is a backing member 22 that provides the basicstructure and foundation of indicia member 20. Backing member 22 ispreferably shaped so that backing member 22 can adequately hold a designmember 24, the second general part of indicia member 20, that isattached to the backing member 22. The shape and configuration of thebacking member 22 depend largely on the shape and configuration ofindicia member 20. Backing member 22 is structured in such a way,preferably, to reduce or eliminate air entrapment during casting ormolding. One way of achieving this is to make backing member 22 in theform of a grid, such as a honeycomb structure. (See FIG. 2). In thisembodiment, backing member 22 is preferably rounded, at least partially,in its bottom, as seen in FIG. 4. The rounding of backing member 22assists in air bubbles moving past backing member 22 during themanufacture of the bowling ball, thus assisting in the elimination ofentrapped air bubbles in the completed bowling ball.

Backing member 22 may be structured as rectangles, squares, circles,honeycomb, or other shapes, regular or irregular. These shapes may be asingle line, a plurality of lines, or one or more solid blocks ofmaterial. The size and shape of backing member 22 will depend on thesize, shape, and material used for the desired indicia, and it may alsobe used to reduce or eliminate air entrapment in the finished bowlingball 10.

As stated above, indicia member 20 includes design member 24. Designmember 24 is attached to backing member 22, and the outer surface 23 ofdesign member 24 is what is seen, at least primarily, as the indicia ofbowling ball 10 after the ball 10 has been formed and sanded. Designmember 24 may be tapered downwardly from the surface of the ball atvarious points so that it creates a wedge within outer layer 14 of ball10. (See FIG. 5A). This wedge helps hold indicia member 20 in the balland may also aid in the elimination of entrapped air. It is alsocontemplated that the design member 24 could be straight-walled or havewalls tapering upwardly toward the surface of the ball, depending on theadhesion properties, air entrapment elimination needs, and the desiredfinal appearance.

When initially formed, it is preferable for the outer surface 23 ofdesign member 24 to have a plurality of knobbies 27. (See FIGS. 3 and4). The knobbies 27 help eliminate air entrapment during manufacture ofthe ball 10 by prohibiting the outer surface 23 of design member 24 fromsitting flush against the inside of the mold. The indicia members 20,with or without knobbies 27, helps ensure perfect centering of the coreduring the manufacture of the ball. Knobbies 27 are removed from thebowling ball during the finishing process. The outer surface 23 ofdesign member 24 may also include grooves, lines, or other shapes raisedabove the outer surface of indicia member 20 or below the surface ofindicia member 20 during the manufacturing process to help assist in theelimination of air entrapment, as discussed in more detail below.

Indicia member 20 is preferably preformed, that is, formed beforemanufacture of the ball, and can be formed by machining (milling ortooling), molding, or casting, or a combination thereof. It ispreferable that indicia member 20 be open-casted as a single piece, butit is possible to initially form two or more pieces and join the piecestogether to form the indicia member. It is also foreseen that indiciamember 20 may be formed of two or more unattached pieces in closeproximity to one another. Indicia member 20 is formed preferably by atwo-piece open cast, that is, one piece that generally forms the designmember 24 and the other that molds the backing member 22. However,indicia member 20 may be formed of any number of pieces of the cast ormold to adequately form the indicia member 20. The number of pieces ofthe cast or mold will depend on the size, shape, and number of colors ofindicia member 20 as well as the molding or casting equipment used toform indicia member 20. It is contemplated that indicia member 20 couldbe formed by other means as well, such as by closed molding techniques.It is also foreseen that the indicia member 20 may be formed withdifferent colored materials, such as by using partial mold-fillingtechniques.

Preferably, the indicia member 20 is the same material as the materialof the outer layer of the bowling ball 10. However, it need not be thesame material as the outer layer 14. Also preferably, the indicia member20 is a thermoset plastic or a thermoplastic. More preferably, it is ofvinyl ester, urethane, polyurethane, polyester, epoxy, urethane, arubber compound, or a mixture of two or more of these. One specificsubstance that may be used is a mixture of polyol IS-20769B andisocyanate IS-20769A, both from ITWC, Inc., of Malcolm, Iowa, in apreferred ratio of 10:6. Indicia member 20 can be made of substancesdifferent than the outer layer of the ball 10, but should be made of asubstance that is not brittle in nature; will withstand themanufacturing process of the bowling ball outer layer without tearing,cracking, or breaking; and will be durable enough to withstand typicalamounts of bowling usage. In addition, such materials should preferablyhave a similar weight as the substance used in the outer layer 14.

Indicia member 20 also has posts 40. (See FIGS. 2-4). Posts 40 have alarge diameter upper portion 42 and a smaller diameter lower portion 44,creating a shoulder 43 at their junction. As shown in FIG. 5, after theindicia member 20 is molded and allowed to cure and/or cool, and afterthe core 12 has been formed, indicia member 20 is attached to core 12.Indicia member 20 is preferably attached to core 12 by the use of posts40 that are attached to, or are a part of, indicia member 20. Inmanufacture of the bowling ball, the smaller diameter lower portions 44of posts 40 are inserted into pre-drilled holes in the core 12, and arepreferably inserted as far as the shoulder 43 of the larger diameterupper portions 42. (See FIG. 5). The posts 40, along with knobbies 27,help center the core for greater balance of the finished ball. Thisconfiguration also leaves a gap between the backing member 22 and theouter surface of core 12. The gap may be very small (or evennon-existent) ranging to nearly the entire thickness of the outer layer.During the manufacture of the outer layer 14, the gap will typically befilled in with whatever material is used for the outer layer 14. The gapbetween the outer edge of the core 12 and bottom of indicia member 20minimizes the effect that the indicia member 20 has on the strength anddurability of the ball by nearly full encasement of the core by outerlayer 14 with only minimal exception being posts 40 upon which indiciamember 20 is suspended. This configuration significantly decreases thestress on the indicia/outer layer interface caused by thermal expansionand contraction during curing cycles of the outer layer material. Thestress force is distributed between the indicia member 20 and the outerlayer 14 material adjacent the indicia member. If this layer of materialbetween the core and indicia member is absent, all of the expansion andcontraction forces are borne solely by the weak interface bond betweenthe indicia member and the outer layer material at the sides of indiciamember 20. Having this gap also enhances the resistance to cracking ofthe outer layer material around the indicia member.

Another way to attach the indicia member 20 to the core 12 is by using ahot melt adhesive. The hot melt adhesive can be applied to the backside25 of indicia member 20. After the hot melt has been applied to thebackside 25, indicia member 20 can be lightly pressed against core 12 sothat indicia member 20 will adhere to core 12 during the manufacturingof the ball when the outer layer is formed over the core and indiciamember 20. Other attachment means, including other types of adhesives ormechanical fasteners, may also be used to attach indicia member 20 tothe core 12. Also, alternatively, the indicia member 20 could beattached to the mold used to form the outer layer 14, and be attached tothe core 12 when the outer layer 14 is formed over the core 12.

A second embodiment of indicia member is denoted by the referencenumeral 120 in the drawings. Indicia member 120 includes two generalparts. (See FIGS. 6-9). The first is a backing member 122 that providesthe basic structure and foundation of indicia member 120. The backingmember 122 preferably includes a grid 136 that is included for support.Backing member 122 preferably includes enough cross-members 138 thatbacking member 122 can adequately hold the design member 124 that isattached to it. Backing member 122 is structured in such a way to reduceor eliminate air entrapment during casting or molding.

Backing member 122 may be structured as rectangles, squares, circles, orother shapes, regular or irregular. Backing member 122 also may includecross-hatching 140, 142 in the diagonal direction relative tocross-members 138 for additional support. (See FIG. 8). The particulardesign of the indicia member 120 and the substance from which both thedesign member 124 and the backing member 122 are made are factors indetermining whether cross-hatching should be used. The size and shape ofbacking member 122 and whether cross-hatching is used, and how much ofit is used, will depend on the size, shape, and material used for thedesired indicia, and also to reduce or eliminate air entrapment in thefinished bowling ball 10.

Indicia member 120 also includes design member 124. Design member 124 isattached to backing member 122, and the outer surface 123 of designmember 124 is what will be seen, at least primarily, as the indicia ofbowling ball 10 after the ball 10 has been formed and sanded. It ispreferable that the design member 124 is tapered downwardly from thesurface of the ball at various points so that it creates a wedge withinouter layer 14 of ball 10. (See FIG. 5A). The angle of the outer sidesof design member 24 are preferably at an angle to each other such thatthey flair away from each other the closer to the center of the ballthey are. This wedge helps hold indicia member 120 in the ball and mayalso aid in the elimination of entrapped air. It is also contemplatedthat the design member 124 could be straight-walled or have wallstapering outwardly, depending on the adhesion properties, air entrapmentelimination, and the desired final appearance. When initially formed, itis preferable for the outer surface 123 of design member 124 to haveknobbies, similar to those shown in FIGS. 3-4, or a plurality of grooves127 (see FIGS. 10, 11). The grooves 127 help eliminate air entrapment,both in the casting or molding process and during manufacture of theball 10. These grooves 127 are removed from the bowling ball during thefinishing process.

Indicia member 120 can be formed in the same manner as described abovefor the indicia member 20. Like indicia member 20, it is preferable thatindicia member 120 be open-casted as a single piece, and formedpreferably from a two-piece open cast. It is also contemplated that theindicia member 120 may be formed by other manufacturing methods and mayhave multiple colors, such as by using partial mold-filling techniques.

Also, it is preferable that indicia member 120 be the same material asthe material of the outer layer of the bowling ball 10, but it is notessential. When indicia member 120 is formed, sprues 126 may be formedthat extend from indicia member 120. (See FIG. 9). The sprues 126, or aportion of them, may or may not be used as attachment means, which willbe discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 12, after the indicia member 120 is molded and allowedto cure and/or cool, and after the core 12 has been formed, indiciamember 120 is attached to core 12. Indicia member 120 is preferablyattached to core 12 by using a hot melt adhesive. The hot melt adhesivecan be applied to the backside 125 of indicia member 120. After the hotmelt has been applied to the backside 125, indicia member 120 can belightly pressed against core 12 so that indicia member 120 will adhereto core 12 during the manufacturing of the ball when the outer layer isformed over the core and indicia member 120. If the sprues 126, orportions thereof, are left attached to indicia member 120, the sprues126 can be used as a means to attach indicia member 120 to core 12. Ifthe sprues 126 are used to attach indicia member 120, the same number ofholes 28, or at least as many as there are sprues 126, should be drilledinto core 12. Holes 28 should be positioned so that each sprue 126 canfit into a respective hole 28. (See FIG. 12). The size of the holes 28are preferably only slightly larger than the diameter and length of therespective sprue 126. Thus, the sprues 126 will fit snugly within holes28 and only the minimum amount of material will be removed from the core12. After holes 28 are drilled into core 12, indicia member 120 can beattached to core 12 by aligning sprues 126 with holes 28 and pressingindicia member 120 until it reaches the desired final position, eitherleaving a gap between the outer surface of the core and the backside 125of indicia member 120 or when the backside 125 of indicia member 120 isabutting core 12.

Other attachment means, including other types of adhesives, posts, ormechanical fasteners, may also be used to attach indicia members 20 and120 to the core 12. Also, alternatively, the indicia members 20 and 120could be attached to the mold used to form the outer layer 14, and beattached to the core 12 when the outer layer 14 is formed over the core12.

After indicia member 20 or 120 is attached to core 12, the outer layer14 of bowling ball 10 is then formed around the core 12 and indiciamember 20 or 120. The outer layer 14 is formed by standard means knownin the industry and to those of skill in the art, and is typicallyformed of polyurethane. Polyester, epoxy, and other types of thermosetsor thermoplastics, as well as metals and other solids, can be used aswell. After the outer layer is formed about the core and the indiciamember, the ball is then finished by lathing, grinding, sanding, and/orpolishing to a smooth finish, leaving the outer surface of the indiciamember visible. (See FIG. 13). Because the indicia member is ground andsanded at the same time as the outer layer 14, the outer side of theindicia member is flush with the outer surface of ball 10. Multipleindicia members 20 or 120 may be used with the same ball.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of the general steps of the preferred methodof manufacturing a bowling ball. An inidicia member and a bowling ballcore are preformed (i.e. formed before insertion into a mold for forminga bowling ball). Although not essential, the indicia member ispreferably attached to the core, and then the core and indicia memberare inserted into a mold cavity, with the indicia member contacting theinner wall of the mold. Cover stock material is then introduced into themold cavity and around the indicia member and core. After the coverstock material is inserted completely, the material is allowed toharden. Once hardened, some of the cover stock material is removed—inthe finishing process—to reveal part of the indicia member.

The method and resultant bowling ball of the present invention contain anumber of advantages. This method of making the bowling ball withindicia provides ease of manufacture, specifically due to reduced numberof steps and reduced cost, and allows use of a wide array of possibleindicia with a wide array of indicia possibilities, includingmulti-colored and complex-shaped indicia. The resultant bowling ball hasa resistance to depreciation of appearance and no reduction inperformance as it has no bearing on the weight or characteristics of thebowling ball, such as its grip or hook. Also, because indicia member 20or 120 is of the same material, or a material with a similar weight, asouter layer 14, indicia member 20 or 120 does not cause any weightbalance issues with respect to ball 10.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodimentsonly. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in theart and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it isunderstood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and describedabove are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit thescope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims asinterpreted according to the principles of patent law, including thedoctrine of equivalents.

1. A method of manufacturing a bowling ball, comprising the steps of: providing a mold disposed to form the general structure of an unfinished bowling ball, the mold having an outer shell with an inner wall; providing a molding material; forming an indicia member configured to be part of a bowling ball, the indicia member having an initial outer surface; placing the indicia member within the mold; positioning the indicia member within the mold such that the initial outer surface is at least partially spaced from the inner wall of the outer shell of the mold; inserting the molding material into the mold around the indicia member; allowing the molding material to harden to form an unfinished bowling ball; and removing material from the unfinished bowling ball to reveal a portion of the indicia member.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of placing a ball core into the mold after the step of forming an indicia member.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the core has an outer surface and the indicia member is suspended near the outer surface of the core and set off from the core, before the step of inserting molding material into the mold around the indicia member.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the indicia member is suspended and set off from the core by the use of at least one post.
 5. A method of manufacturing a bowling ball, comprising the steps of: providing a manufacturing machine having a cavity with an inner wall; providing a bowling ball core; forming a surface graphic having an outer body member, the outer body member having an outer surface; placing the bowling ball core into the cavity; placing the surface graphic into the cavity, at least a portion of the outer surface being in contact with the inner wall of the cavity, the surface graphic being disposed in a position adjacent the core, with a gap between the outer body member of the surface graphic and the core; inserting material into the machine and covering the core and surface graphic to create a cover stock; and removing cover stock material such that a portion of the surface graphic is visible as an indicia at the surface of the bowling ball.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the manufacturing machine is a two- or more piece mold.
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of drilling holes into the core into which the surface graphic can be secured.
 8. A method of manufacturing a bowling ball comprising the steps of: forming a graphic, the graphic having a body portion with an upper surface, and at least one leg depending from the body portion, the leg having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end and the upper end together defining a shoulder; forming a bowling ball core having an outer surface and at least one bore therein, the bore sized to be capable of receiving the lower end of the leg of the graphic; inserting the lower end of the at least one leg into the at least one bore of the core, configured such that the shoulder prevents the body portion of the graphic from contacting the core; inserting the graphic and core into a mold cavity having an inner wall; positioning the graphic within the mold cavity such that at least a portion of the upper surface is spaced from the inner wall of the mold cavity; forming cover stock over the core and around the graphic while the graphic and core are in the mold cavity to create an initial exterior surface of a bowling ball; and removing material from the initial exterior surface of the bowling ball to reveal part of the body portion of the graphic.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the graphic is of at least one of a thermoset and a thermoplastic.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the bowling ball core is substantially spherical, and the graphic body portion has a bottom that is curved.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the graphic body portion comprises a backing member for assisting in reduction or elimination of air entrapment during manufacture of the bowling ball.
 12. An unfinished bowling ball comprising: a core comprised of a first substance, the core having an exterior surface, an interior portion, and at least one bore therein extending from the interior portion of the core to the exterior surface of the core; an indicia member comprising a design element having an outer design surface, an inner portion, and at least one member extending from the inner portion of the design element and at least partially disposed within the bore of the core; and an outer layer of a second substance, the outer layer encompassing the core and the design element, the second substance being of a consistency such that a portion of the outer layer is removable by a mechanical or chemical process to reveal the design member and to form a smooth bowling ball exterior.
 13. The unfinished bowling ball of claim 12, wherein the design element of the indicia member has a bottom, the design element bottom and the exterior surface of the core are not in contact with each other.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the indicia member is attached to the core at least in part by use of an adhesive.
 15. A bowling ball comprising: a core comprised of a first substance, the core having an exterior surface and being substantially spherical in shape; an indicia member comprised of a second substance and comprising a design element having a design member and a backing, the design member having an outer surface, the backing being in closer proximity to the exterior surface of the core than the design member, the design element being spaced from the exterior surface of the core defining a gap between the backing of the design element and exterior surface of the core; and an outer layer of a third substance, the outer layer surrounding the core and at least a portion of the design element and residing in the gap between the exterior surface of the core and the backing of the design element, an amount of the third substance having been removed to form a smooth bowling ball exterior surface with the outer surface of the design member being visible.
 16. The bowling ball of claim 15, wherein the second substance and the third substance are the same.
 17. The bowling ball of claim 15, wherein the second substance and the third substance are different.
 18. The bowling ball of claim 15, and further comprising spacers for defining the gap between the backing of the design element and the exterior surface of the core.
 19. The bowling ball of claim 18, wherein the spacers are part of the indicia member.
 20. The bowling ball of claim 15, wherein the indicia member is a unitary molded piece.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein the indicia member is attached to the core at least in part by use of an adhesive. 